North America Distribution

Facts About

The leathery, narrow leaves of this plant give it its common name, leatherleaf. Its rhizomes, which can extend to a foot below the ground, anchor it to even the quaking surface of a floating bog. Once Sphagnum moss is established, leatherleaf can move in and extend the range of a bog mat, providing stable habitat for other bog specialists such as pitcher plants. Leatherleaf provides cover for nesting mallards and some other ducks. It recovers quickly in peatlands that have been severely disturbed or mined for peat.